From the ground up: Exploring dichotomies in grassroots peacebuilding

Publication date:

Oct 2003

Source:

Conciliation Resources

Celia McKeon of Conciliation Resources explains why local peace initiatives are so important and gives examples of success stories from Mali and Sierra Leone to illustrate their transformative potential.

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This paper by Celia McKeon of Conciliation Resources focuses on the value of grassroots peacebuilding. Local ownership of peace initiatives is essential in transforming systems and structures of violence.

The author identifies the main modes of peacebuilding practice and also examines the relationship between changes at local and national levels.

The paper then explores two examples of effective grassroots peace initiatives in detail. These are inter-community meetings in Mali and the Sulima Fishing Community Development Project in Sierra Leone. Both projects demonstrate successful work in transforming conflict dynamics in communities.